The 71-year-old, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away in his Florida home from a cardiac arrest.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed the devastating news on social media.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” a statement read.
“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Hogan leaves behind two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, who were born during his 26-year marriage with Linda Claridge between 1983 and 2009.
Countless tributes have poured in from across the wrestling world, including ones Charlotte Flair and her father, Ric.
Charlotte posted on X: “When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke.
“Rest in peace, brother.”
Ric Flair wrote: “I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend Hulk Hogan!
“Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father!
“Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2 Per Cent Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”
Hogan was one of the most recognisable names in the wrestling industry.
He began his wrestling career in 1977 but shot to nationwide prominence six years later when he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE.
Such was Hogan’s star power, he headlined eight out of the first nine WrestleMania events.
Hogan also lays claim to being involved in the most-watched wrestling match on American television when he fought Andre the Giant in 1988.
Their bout was viewed by 33 million Americans.
Hogan was also a six-time WWF/WWE Champion and a two-time Royal Rumble winner, which he achieved in 1990 and 1991.
The icon’s legendary run in the squared circle earned him two inductions into the WWE’s Hall of Fame.
Hogan was first inducted in 2005 as an individual and in 2020 as a member of the legendary faction New World Order.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, former WWE commentator Todd Grisham paid tribute to the larger-than-life figure as he declared Hogan will always be the first name mentioned on wrestling’s Mount Rushmore.
“He was the first superhero come to life,” Grisham said.
“You could watch the Batman movies, the Batman cartoons, the Superman comic books. But this was a guy who you could go watch and you could see and he was always defying the odds.
“The irresistible force meets the immovable object. The guy that body slammed Andre the Giant. He could do things that no mortal man could do. And we always had that positive message, say your prayers and take your vitamins.
“How could anybody be against those two things? So he was just such a big part of our childhood.
Grisham added: “There will never be another Hulk Hogan. People talk about the Mount Rushmore of wrestling. Anyone who doesn’t start with that name, to me, doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
“Not only was he the greatest good guy ever, like the best baby face ever, but he was maybe the greatest bad guy ever, too.
“When he joined the NWO, that was an entire movement. John Cena kicks somebody between the legs. he’s not supposed to, and he’s a bad guy. But Hulk Hogan became a real, real bad guy. He’s incomparable to anyone else, I think.”
[talksport]